Elephanta Island, Mumbai

Outside the City
Mumbai
India

Concierge.com's insider take:

The rock-cut temples on peaceful Elephanta Island are thought to have been carved between 450 and 750 AD. These holy places survived Portuguese vandalism and remain equal in size, beauty, and power to the caves at Ajanta and Ellora. The main cave contains large sculpted panels, including an astonishing 18-foot depiction of Shiva in his roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer. Boats make the one-hour trip every half hour from the Gateway of India (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Tickets are sold at the kiosks nearby.